Chapter 478: Bonds (2/2)
”Syndra,” whispered Jen,”-don't get provoked by them.”
”Else what?” she shrugged to stomp and gawk at Charlie, ”-I won't budge until they've apologized to Sir Illusionist here.” A circle slowly opened to have them at the epicenter.
”My lady,” the so-called magnanimous voice lowered to a standstill, ”-would you kindly step-away. Having you so close is an honor, yet, I must decline the advances of such a repulsive individual.”
”Shorty,” interjected Igna,”-better take that back,” he came to stand in-between them.
”Don't get involved,” mumbled Jen sensing the powerful magical energy from the students.
'Don't,' gestured Syndra, ”-watch,” said she over the shoulder.
”Who are you to give me orders?” he raised his head, ”-do you pissant really want to get involved with St. Orena's Academy?”
”Pissant?” he looked down holding the worst expression imaginable, ”-quite amusable that thee chose to use an insult with 'ant' in it, considering thee have to stand on thy toe to stare and still fall short. Pardon me, did I say short, I didn't mean it so, my vocabulary is quite dwarven. Wouldn't it be easier to get a stool?”
'Listen here,” he gritted, ”-I'm not in the mood to play thy games.”
”Why not?” he laughed, ”-I thought kids loved to partake in games. I suppose there must be a height limit for shooting teddies. Not to worry, I can put in a good word to lower the targets.”
”Listen here!” he grabbed Igna's collar, ”-I'm not playing around. Don't mess with us else.”
”Sorry,” he latched onto Charlie's arms, ”-the height difference made it difficult to hear.”
”I'VE HAD IT – FUCK HIM UP!” mid-level projectile spells conjured, Ice-Barrage, Tempest-Wind, and Fire-Arrow made for him.
'This trick is going to come in handy.' The contacts detected the danger from long-ago, attacking first would be unwise as it would paint him as the villain. Now, the matter changed, it came to self-defense. Using magic in public gathering was a serious offense. '-Mana Cancellation,' thought he as the interface displayed many o' possibilities. 'Lady Mother made it clear to not fight using magic. I'd be at a disadvantage when faced against mages – unless I close the distance, there's no chance. The torturous training will pay-off.' A side-stepped easily evaded the projectiles followed by wave-like movements to touch and dispel the invocations. 'I'm not as fast as mother,' he closed the distance,'-and not as powerful either,' he dodged another spell by ducking. A backhand touch turned it to naught followed by three punches, '-but I can very much protect myself and my friends.'
”What's happening here?” came a squad of police officers, the curled-up students made them side-eye the spectators.
”Self-defense,” added Syndra, ”-these students provoked and disrespected a noble. Not to mention used magic in public. If not for my friend here, bystanders could have been injured and even killed.”
”Lady Lordon,” nodded the older man, ”-thanks for the help, and you too, sir. They're from the St. Orena's Academy. They've been like this since the start of the Festival. Youth, I tell you,” gasping at the coming paperwork, ”-please, return to the celebrations. We'll handle it from here.”
”Thank you, officer,” the crowd dispersed.
”My lady, words can't express how much I'm grateful,” said the Illusionist, ”-I can get to performing without hassle.”
”Not to worry,” said Syndra,”-tis the duty of a respectful citizen.”
”Let's go!” added Igna, ”-your lady mother is looking for us.”
”OK, ok,” smiled she holding Jen's arm, ”-don't dilly-dally.” They crossed the sea of sweat and heat, the sea of claustrophobia, the sea of harassment. In name and description, Festivals were moments of utter joy. Nonetheless, they were also despised by many, predators would roam and attack through the anonymous freedom bestowed by the countless faces. Getting touched or felt while shopping, eating, playing – the list carried on and on. Despite how many guards were put on patrol, the issue could but be limited, not exterminated.
”Igna, say, how did you get strong?” wondered Jen coming to the lighter part of town.
”Training from my mother,” said he panting,”-forget it, Lampard's waiting for us at the restaurant.”
”What do you mean, mother?” they arrived. Lampard noticed to suddenly burst in shouts and waves. ”Over here, over here,” cried he unbothered by the gossiping glares.
”Leonard, Lampard, Rena,” said Igna, ”-please, do keep an eye on Jen in the future.”
”You've been with Igna, Jen?” asked Rena, ”-what about…”
”Listen, Rena,” courage didn't suffice to speak face-to-face, ”-we were wrong about him. Igna's still the same boy we've known from the academy.”
”Igna,” added Leonard who quickly leaped into a tight-embrace, ”-thanks for keeping watch over Jen. I mean it, truly, I was worried to death especially when that message came.”
”Don't worry, man,” he patted his back in turn.
”Jen, I'm sorry about keeping this a secret,” he took her hardened fingertips, ”-being a noble is more trouble than due. My family gave an ultimatum of us breaking our relation. That's why I didn't want to post any pictures, I wanted it to be a secret so I could work my way into my mother's cold heart.”
”I'm sorry too,” the words of not apologizing felt short, ”-I didn't try to see it from your perspective,” they hugged, ”-I love you, Leonard.”
”Me too, Jen, I love you too.”
”I'm glad,” smiled Syndra, ”-Leonard of the Dukedom of Goldberg. I understand why thy hands are tied; lady Goldberg is very much strong-willed.
”Lady Syndra, might I ask why a lady of thy stature is here on the Festival?”
”You jest, surely,” she pointed at the restaurant, ”-Loron's belongs to my lady Mother.”
”Speaking of mother,” inquired Jen, ”-Igna, what did you say earlier?”
The roar of a sport's bike flickered to cut their breaths. Silvery-white hair flowed as a seducing silhouette approached, ”-Igna.”